Learning doesn’t have to stop when the school bell rings. Some of the best learning takes place outside of the classroom. So, if your child is struggling with a particular subject, or if you want to expand their knowledge beyond what they’re learning in class, you can do so without spending a lot of money or signing up for extracurricular activities.
All you need is a bit of creativity and a willingness to explore the world around you. Metropolis.Café has listed six outside-the-classroom strategies for learning-driven families:
1. Get a college degree
You don’t have to be a teacher to homeschool your children, but it never hurts to have a college degree in education. Consider pursuing an online degree. This is a good option to consider
that provides you with the flexibility to manage all of life’s obligations and commitments. Research accredited online universities, compare tuition rates, and dedicate yourself to the steps necessary to earn a bachelor of education online.
If you’re uncomfortable teaching your kids yourself, consider hiring a tutor who can come to your house once or twice a week. There are also online resources that provide free lessons and educational materials in almost every subject imaginable.
2. Make time in your schedule for your kids (no matter what)
One of the best ways to show your kids that you value their education is to carve out time for it in your busy schedule. Set aside an hour or two each day to help them with homework and discuss what they’re learning in school. If you can’t fit it into your schedule every day, shoot for three or four times a week. The important thing is that you stay consistent.
3. Have outdoor reading time
Make reading fun by taking it out of the house and into nature! Bring along some pillows and blankets, and find a shady spot in the park or backyard. Spending time outdoors has proven to improve attention spans and boost brain power, so this is the perfect activity for kids who struggle with focus issues like ADHD. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
4. Set up backyard STEM projects
Science, technology, engineering, and math don’t have to be dry subjects that are only learned in the classroom. Get your kids excited about STEM by setting up some fun projects in the backyard and letting them compete over the course of a few days or weeks.
For instance, you could build a simple catapult together and see how far various objects fly when launched from it. Just remember to supervise younger children during this activity to prevent injury!
5. Play educational games as a family
Games or not just for entertainment purposes; they can also be educational tools! Pick a few games that focus on topics like history, geography, science, and math skills (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.). This is an excellent way for everyone to have a good time together, but it can also teach your child something new in the process.
6. Engage in art or music activities
Besides being excellent activities for kids of all ages, art and music projects can be done both indoors and outdoors, depending on your preference. Scour the web for some simple art projects that only require household materials you already have. You could even make homemade instruments from recycled materials or sing along to songs on the radio with your child. Whatever you do, allow your child (and yourself) to get creative and enjoy the experience!
You have endless possibilities for outside-the-classroom learning activities for your family. It doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming; you just need some imagination and creativity to succeed. And you might even learn something yourself if you stay committed!